The National Human Rights Commission organised the South Regional Conference on Business and Human Rights at I.I.T. Madras on the 17th January, 2017. The aim of the Conference was to catalyze the efforts of the corporate sector to avoid the situation of human rights violations during the course of their activities and prepare a draft self assessment tool through dialogue among the stakeholders to achieve this goal. The NHRC, India has involved itself in this exercise as it has been made a focal point for the subject of 'Business and Human Rights' by the Common Wealth Forum of National Human Rights Institution (CFNHRI).
Justice Shri H.L. Dattu, Chairperson, NHRC addressing the inaugural session of the Conference emphasized, in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles, that the corporate sector needs to take up the responsibility of respecting human rights through their policies, diligence and remediation. He said that such sort of commitment should be seen not only in words but also in the actions of the corporate entities. He said that if business activities are taken up with a human rights perspective, these will lead to more commitment from in-house human resources, resulting in enhanced risk management, sustainable relations with stakeholders, resilient supply chains and access to new markets.
The Conference divided into three sessions was addressed, among others, by experts and CEOs of the companies based on which, a draft self assessment tool was discussed in the final session.
Besides the heads of Companies, representatives of Industry Federations/Organizations/Chambers, NHRC Members, Justice Shri D. Murugesan and Shri S.C. Sinha, Secretary General, Dr. S.N. Mohanty, Joint Secretary, Shri J.S. Kochher and Joint Director (Research) Dr. Savita Bhakhry, the Conference was also attended by renowned industry leaders, representatives of State Human Rights Commissions and experts.